Method for generating a low frequency electric stimulus signal and low frequency electric stimulus signal generating apparatus

Abstract

A method for generating a low frequency electric stimulus signal is carried out by generating electric stimulus signal to provide electric stimulus to a biological body or living body. Either the current or voltage, or both, can be controlled in accordance with sound volume levels supplied from a sound source to modulate the electric stimulus signal. The frequency of the electric stimulus signal is selected to be a low frequency. A low frequency electric stimulus signal generating apparatus for applying electric stimulus to a biological body includes a control section and a current/voltage controlling section. In the control section, a sound volume level derived from a sound source is sampled at a rate at which the biological body can feel it in substantially real time. The respective sampled sound levels are converted into frequencies corresponding to low frequencies and output, and predetermined control information. In the current/voltage controlling section, current and voltage stimulus signals are frequency-modulated separately based upon the frequencies. The control section and current/voltage controlling section are included in a stimulus signal generating section.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of providing electrical stimulus to a biological body, comprising the steps of: generating a low frequency electrical signal;   frequency modulating either the current or voltage, or both, of the low frequency signal with frequencies corresponding to respective sound volume levels supplied by a sound source to stimulate the body.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency modulating step further comprises the steps of: sampling the respective sound volume levels at a predetermined level at which the body feels them in substantially real time; and   converting the respective sound volume levels into frequencies within a low frequency region.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein the low frequency region has a frequency range of from 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sampling step comprises the step of: sampling within a time period from 0.01 to 0.5 second.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: converting the respective sound volume levels into pulse number control values; and   pulse modulating the current or voltage of the signal.   
     
     
       6. A method of providing electrical stimulus to a biological body, comprising the steps of: generating a low frequency electrical signal;   sampling respective sound levels at a predetermined rate at which the body feels them in substantially real time;   converting the sampled respective sound levels into corresponding amplitude control values;   amplitude modulating either the current or voltage, or both, of the low frequency signal to stimulate the body.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: converting the respective sound volume levels into pulse number control values; and   pulse modulating the current or voltage of the signal.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: converting the respective sound volume levels into pulse number control values; and   pulse modulating the current or voltage of the signal.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 6, wherein the number of pulses for the pulse modulating step ranges from zero to thirty corresponding to the respective sound volume levels. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 6, wherein the sampling step comprises the step of: sampling within a time period from 0.01 to 0.5 second.   
     
     
       11. A low frequency electric stimulus signal generating apparatus for applying electrical stimuli to a biological body, comprising: a stimulus signal generating section having: a control section for sampling respective sound volume levels derived from a sound source at a rate at which the body can substantially feel the sound volume levels in real time, the respective sampled sound levels being converted into corresponding low frequencies and output, and predetermined control information; and   a current/voltage controlling section for independently frequency modulating current and voltage stimulus signals based upon the frequencies.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stimulus signal generating section further comprises: a control system selecting section for switching either one of the current and voltage stimulus signals based upon control information derived from the control section, and for outputting the same as an electrical signal to stimulate the body.   
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control section includes: a waveform generating section for generating a voltage waveform signal having frequencies corresponding to the respective sound volume levels; and   a voltage stimulus signal generating circuit for outputting the voltage waveform signal as a voltage stimulus signal.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the current/voltage controlling section includes: a waveform generating section for outputting a voltage waveform signal having a waveform pattern corresponding to the sound volume levels; and   a current stimulus signal generating circuit for outputting a current stimulus signal having the same waveform as that of an input voltage waveform signal.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stimulus signal has a frequency region of between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control section samples the sound volume levels at a sampling period between 0.01 and 0.5 second. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps;   memory means for storing a sound volume level to frequency conversion table; and   means for reading out from the memory means frequencies corresponding to the respective sound volume levels for the sampling operation.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the sound volume levels is set to zero when it is equal to a predetermined zero, or a lower, level. 
     
     
       19. A method of generating a low frequency electrical stimulus signal to stimulate a biological body, comprising the steps of: deriving a waveform of sound information in response to a sound source;   modulating at a rhythm at least the current or voltage of the electrical stimulus signal; and   selecting a low frequency for the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       20. The method of claim 19, wherein the deriving step further comprises the steps of: detecting presence of sound information;   deriving only frequency information having a frequency lower than approximately 200 Hz from the detected sound information, the frequency information represented by waveforms;   generating quasi-sound information having arbitrary waveforms when no sound information is detected; and   utilizing the respective waveforms of the frequency information and the quasi-sound information to modulate the current and voltage of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of: selectively adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: selectively adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       23. A low frequency electrical stimulus signal generating apparatus, comprises: an input section for setting and adjusting initial conditions to various inputting signals;   a stimulus signal generating section including:   a waveform control section for providing a rhythmic-modulated waveform signal derived from low frequency sound information from a sound source;   a current control section for utilizing the rhythmic-modulated waveform signal to generate a current stimulus signal;   a voltage control section for utilizing the rhythmic-modulated waveform signal to generate a voltage stimulus signal;   a control system selecting section for providing at least one of the current stimulus signal and the voltage stimulus signal as an output electrical signal to stimulate a biological body; and   a control section for controlling respective operations of the control section and the selecting section, based upon a signal derived from the input section.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the waveform control section comprises: a comparator for detecting the presence of sound information;   a low pass filter for filtering low frequency sound information having a frequency lower than approximately 200 Hz;   a rhythmic generator for generating quasi-sound information; and   a selection switch for selecting the low frequency sound information when sound information is detected and the quasi-sound information when sound information is not detected.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: intensity setting means for selectively adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the current control section comprises: an intensity setting circuit for rhythmic-modulating the waveform signal; and   a current stimulus signal generating circuit for outputting or current stimulus signal having the same waveform as that of a waveform input from the intensity setting circuit; and wherein the voltage control section comprises:   a voltage stimulus circuit for adjusting the rhythmic-modulating waveform signal to provide an output voltage stimulus signal.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: intensity setting means for selectively adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: intensity setting means for selectively adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulus signal.   
     
     
       29. A low frequency electric stimulus signal generating apparatus comprising: a stimulus signal generating section including:   a control section for sampling respective sound volume levels supplied from a sound source at a rate in which a biological body feels the volume levels in substantially real time, each of the sampled volume levels being converted into a corresponding amplitude control value and provided as an output, and for outputting predetermined control information; and   a current/voltage control section for amplitude modulating current and voltage stimulus signals, in response to the amplitude control value, within a range of 0 to 100% of an initial set amplitude value.   
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the stimulus signal generating section further comprises: a control system selecting section for using the control information from the control section to select only one of the current and voltage stimulus signals as an output electric stimulus signal to stimulate the body.   
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the current/voltage control section comprises a current control section having: a waveform generating section for outputting a voltage waveform signal having an arbitrary frequency;   an intensity setting circuit for using the amplitude control value to control the intensity of the voltage waveform signal; and   a current stimulus signal generating circuit for outputting a current stimulus signal having the same waveform as that of the intensity controlled voltage waveform signal.   
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the frequency has a range of from 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the intensity setting circuit uses the amplitude control value having a range from 0 to 100% of the initial set amplitude value to obtain an electric stimulus signal having 24 level steps. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the current/voltage control section comprises a voltage control section having: a waveform generating section for outputting a voltage waveform signal having an arbitrary frequency; and   a voltage stimulus signal generating circuit for using the amplitude control value to control the intensity of the voltage waveform signal and for outputting the intensity-controlled voltage waveform signal as a voltage stimulus signal.   
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the frequency has a range of from 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the control section samples the sound volume levels within time periods from 0.01 to 0.5 second. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the control section comprises: means for subdividing the sound volume levels into a plurality of level steps; and   means for converting the subdivided levels into corresponding amplitude control values, and for outputting the converted control values.   
     
     
       43. A method of generating a low frequency electric stimulus signal, comprising the steps of: generating current and voltage stimulus signals to be provided to a biological body;   reading out control information previously stored in a control section without using acoustic information from a sound source;   utilizing the control information to control the current and voltage stimulus signals; and   alternately outputting the current and voltage stimulus signals to stimulate the body.   
     
     
       44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the steps of: selecting the control information of the current and voltage stimulus signals from a plurality of waveforms, frequencies and intensities, the control information being selectable and variable externally.   
     
     
       45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of: randomly effecting the alternate outputting of the current and voltage stimulus signals.   
     
     
       46. The method of claim 45, wherein the randomly effecting step comprises the step of: randomly setting a time interval from several seconds to several tens of seconds to alternately output the current and voltage stimulus signals.   
     
     
       47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       48. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       49. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       50. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of: randomly effecting the alternate outputting of the current and voltage stimulus signals.   
     
     
       51. The method of claim 50, wherein the randomly effecting step comprises the step of: randomly setting a time interval from several seconds to several tens of seconds to alternately output the current and voltage stimulus signals.   
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       53. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       54. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of: selecting a frequency of between 0 to 60 Hz for the electric stimulus signal.   
     
     
       55. A low frequency electric stimulus signal generating apparatus, comprising: an input section for setting and adjusting initial conditions to various inputting signals; and   a stimulus signal generating section including:   a control section for storing control information, the information being readily accessible;   a current control section for using the control information to generate a current stimulus signal;   a voltage control section for using the control information to generate a voltage stimulus signal; and   a control system selection section for using the control information to alternately select the current stimulus signal and the voltage stimulus signal as an output electric stimulus signal to stimulate a biological body.   
     
     
       56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the control information for the current and voltage stimulus signals is selected from a plurality of waveforms, frequencies and intensities, the control information being selectable and variable externally. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the control system selection section alternately selects the current and voltage stimulus signals at random. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the control system selection section randomly sets a time interval from several seconds to several tens of seconds to alternately output the current and voltage signals. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the control system selection section alternately selects the current and voltage stimulus signals at random. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the control system selection section randomly sets a time interval from several seconds to several tens of seconds to alternately output the current and voltage signals. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the electric stimulus signal has a frequency between 0 to 60 Hz.